The Midwest Collage Society (MCS), founded in 2003, promotes collage as a fine art by providing exhibit opportunities and professional development activities to our 52 members.
Meetings are held at 1710 Plainfield Road, Darien IL, usually the first Sunday of the month from 12:30-2:30pm. No meetings in January and July unless otherwise posted.
Midwest Collage Society celebrates over 100 years of Collage As a Fine Art since 1912.

Friday, March 31, 2017

The April 19th Lemont Artists Guild meeting, will begin at 7 PM at the Homer Township Public Library,14320 W 151st St, Homer Glen, IL. Laura Lein-Svencner is an Abstract Mixed Media Collage Artist. Laura teaches collage with the heat seal iron method fusing coated collage papers to many surfaces. She will bring samples of her work, papers she uses and will show how to create surface designs. Laura has taught many classes in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin and is a member of Midwest Collage Society. This demonstration is a must see if you are interested in beginning or have had some experience with collage

Laura is a National Award Winner and National Collage Society Signature member and co-founder of the Midwest Collage Society. Laura Lein-Svencner will share the process of creating your own collage papers; assembling a collage with a tack iron and the application of an image transfer. As a self-taught artist, Laura has been working in the medium of hand papermaking and collage for 20 years, learning and exploring all the ins and outs of paper itself. She primarily focuses on composition, layering, color and ability to create depth in her collage artwork. Her works have been published in many books by North Light Publishing, The Artist Magazine and The Professional Artist. Laura’s work can be seen at: http://www.lauralein-svencner.com

Laura teaches her collage techniques, on line and at Naperville Art League in Naperville, Illinois, and at Mayslake Peabody Estate in Oak Brook, Illinois. During the summer you’ll find her exhibiting her work at art fairs and teaching collage workshops all around the Midwest. Her collages are represented at The Flying Pig Gallery in Algoma, Wisconsin

The public is welcome; a donation for the local food pantry is appreciated.

Lemont Artists Guild Mission Statement: Our mission is to enhance life in Lemont and surrounding communities by providing fine art education, instruction, programming and appreciation through a supportive environment that nurtures creativity and individuality.

Tuesday, March 28, 2017

Andrea Fox will get us started with ideas for creating our own "Tree of Life" collage.

"Tree of Life"— We will explore it's meaning and inspiration. The subject has mystical aspects and magic that many cultures, races and religions have as a source of life in their beliefs. This presentation will provide some insights to the history of the Tree of Life. It is meant to inspire you to think and feel your way to creating a personal tree of life with your knowledge of collage. As an art teacher, I have used the subject of tree in drawing and painting classes because the artist can easily relate to the way a tree grows and the mood it can create. We won't hug a tree but some of our feelings and inner self may show up in our collage work.

Please bring:

Some of your own manipulated papers, ready for collage

a list of meaningful words of life (e.g. peace, hope, love), or special names associated to your life.

scissors

x-acto knife

small cutting surface

glue sticks

Yes glue

Also $20 dues will be collected for 2017-18 and election of officers.

Consider: Only paid members can exhibit with MCS and the Newsflash will only be sent to and only include news or exhibit information for paid members. Membership connects you with 50+ creative women, offers fresh ideas with guest presentations, and affords multiple opportunities to exhibit, potentially win awards, and sell your work.

(This workshop was originally scheduled for March meeting that was canceled)

RETREAT

Save the DATE FOR FALL RETREAT: September 20 - 24, 2017. $250 for 5 days of creative play. Applications will be available at the meeting. Questions: contact TANIA BLANCO 630-464-3749or e-mail taniablanc@aol.com

MCS EXHIBITS

Curious Discoveries

Downers Grove Public Library1010 Curtiss Street Bring your work Saturday, April 1 between 10:00 and 11:00AM

***A Late entry form is attached for your use----we could still use a few more, but we are in good shape. 3D items would be appreciated!

Please start thinking aboutRemnants and Remembrances for the Chicago Cultural Center this summer. They will be needing images soon. We are planning to include works by Sylvia Koch, Barb Arntzen and Donna Johnston in memorium.

***Also attached is the exhibit schedule for 2017. Some of you have been asking....

ALLIANCE OF FINE ART

Congratulations to two MCS members who won awards in the Best of the Best show at Mayslake.

Since we had no meeting in March and I can't attend the meeting in April, I want to take this opportunity to say how much I enjoyed being your president for the past two years because it gave me the opportunity to know a lot more of you so much better. Of all the things I will miss when we move to Florida in October, MCS tops the list. Keep on creating, encouraging, and inspiring each other, as you did for me. Thank you sincerely, Elaine Rath

Laura Lein-Svencner is offering a Open Studio Collage Class at Mayslake Peabody Estate

Susan Sharp has been invited by Jim Britt (Tony Robbins first mentor) to write a chapter in his new book with Jim Lutes. It's about self-empowerment and her chapter is about seeing ourselves as artistic masterpieces. Publication is in April and she will be doing book signings in the Quad Cities area in May.

Susan is a Theatre Professor and her original play, IF, will be performed April 20, 21 7pm & April 22 at 2 & 7pm at Carl Sandburg College. If any MCS members want to attend she will provide free tickets. Email her at Asharpcontrast@gmail.com.

Writing Artist Bio

How to write an Artist CV

MCS Exhibit Book

The Midwest Collage Society has a book of their last Exhibit, Balance-Off Balance, Curator Robin Rios of 4Arts Inc and Co-Curator of Zhou B. Art Center present this exhibit of Midwest Collage Society work.
http://www.blurb.com/b/4589204-off-balance-balance

Members

The MCS has over fifty members from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. Most members reside in the Chicago area. All members are professional artists who exhibit regularly in urban and suburban galleries. Many exhibit in other states, and a few exhibit internationally. The backgrounds of our members are varied, and range from those with graduate training in the fine arts to the self-taught. Many work in fields outside of the art-related professions. The diverse experience of our members is one of the Midwest Collage Society's greatest assets, and has contributed to our growth.

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National Collage Society Applications for Membership/shows and exhibits

Ode to Collage Artists

We walk around always looking down,Searching for things to pick up off the ground.Leaves and paper or bits of string,We can use just about anything.While others may watch us and shake their head,We just cram the stuff in our pockets and forge on ahead.Home we go can't wait to start, what would we do if we didn't love Art?We empty our pockets to peruse all our treasures, amazed this junk gives us great pleasures.We crumple and tear, we sand and we paint, And we can't forget the glues and paste.Amazed with the things we can create from someone else waste.When were done some will say we just made it look old, But when we look upon it, All we see is Gold!

by Debbie Wojnarowski

More Details please contact this blog manager at lonecrow4@gmail.com

History

The Midwest Collage Society (MCS), founded in 2003, promotes collage as a fine art by providing exhibit opportunities and professional development activities to our members.

Meetings and Dues

MCS generally meets on the first Sunday of each month (excluding January and July), from 12:30 to 3:00 PM in Darien, IL. Since many members live well beyond this area, the MCS uses its newsletter, group website, and regular e-mail communication to provide all members with timely information about planned exhibits and program content. Annual dues are twenty dollars ($20.00). Members also pay nominal fees for meeting workshops and exhibit entries. Membership dues are payable in April of each year.

Meetings are held at the Darien Municipal Center, 1710 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL.